Letter: Open primaries would be a start toward better government

We are bombarded by ads and buzzwords for and against candidates running for office, yet we continually overlook the fact that millions are spent to get our attention and votes.

We already are saddled with ineffective lawmakers whom we elect time after time based on the amount of air time they get. We openly support the idea of term limits but fail to push the issue by voting for newcomers instead of the firmly entrenched seat fillers.

This is not to say that all long termers and newcomers are bad or good, but as voters and taxpayers we need to send the message that we want better government. Voting is the way to do it. We will make mistakes, but we will have the opportunity to correct it in the next election.

One of the first things to do is eliminate the declaration of party in the primary. Our votes are supposed to be anonymous, but this declaration limits our ability to vote across party lines and thereby negates that anonymity.

I realize it is hard to have all voters on the same page on all issues, but voting privacy is important to begin the process of “upgrading” our representation. If we really want better government then we need to demand it.